Flovent can Help Your Pet with Asthma

Like humans, many dogs and cats suffer from airway diseases of the lungs. Several examples of this include: chronic bronchitis in dogs and cats, feline asthma, and tracheal collapse in canines. Common signs of airway disease are coughing, shortness of breath, and gagging. For short-term relief, Albuterol (ProAir, Proventil, Ventolin) is considered first line in managing symptoms. For long-term maintenance, corticosteroids (e.g. Flovent) are typically prescribed for daily use.

Flovent Inhalers for use with AeroKat and AeroDawg

Flovent (Fluticasone propionate) is currently available in 3 dosage options: 44 mcg, 110 mcg, and 220 mcg per actuation. Each inhaler contains 120 metered actuations and displays a dose counter to keep track of the number of remaining doses. A typical dosing for both cats and dogs is one puff twice a day. Your pet’s veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate inhaler(s) and dose.

Flovent and the AeroKat or AeroDawg:

Flovent must be administered with the use of a spacer and mask; such as the AeroDawg or AeroKat. The mask should be fitted snugly around the muzzle, including the corners of the mouth, and the dog or cat should breathe through the spacer for 7-10 seconds for each actuation. This technique allows for the medication to properly reach the lungs.

While rescue medications that contain Albuterol are used to treat acute symptoms of airway disease, inhaled corticosteroids like Flovent are used to help prevent symptoms from reoccurring. This is the reason why Albuterol products are indicated when patients are symptomatic and Flovent is recommended for daily use. Once therapy with Flovent is started, it usually takes 7-10 days for the full effect of the drug to be seen in the patient.

Long-term Flovent use is well tolerated since the inhaled steroid is absorbed into the lungs but not the bloodstream.

If a patient is prescribed the 44mcg twice daily dose, a single inhaler should last 60 days and runs $122.99, or $2.05/day. An additional 10% discount is also available for pet owners who choose to purchase an AeroDawg or AeroKat spacer with one of the above inhalers.

2 thoughts on “Flovent can Help Your Pet with Asthma”

I really appreciate your information regarding my cutty (kitty) having asthma.
My doctor has perscribed Flovent for him. The cost is $170.00 for twice aday for 125 puffs. Any suggestions as I find this is more than we can afford. The kitty (bro) is doing fine. Thank you for responding. Roxie Mayo

Unfortunately at this time there is no generic alternative to Flovent. We understand this drug is cost prohibitive in some cases. VetRxDirect will notify our customers as soon as we have an alternative, but this could take many years. We encourage you to speak to your veterinarian about alternative therapies for your cat. Sorry we are unable to provide more.